What is LASEK laser eye surgery?
Unlike the more popular LASIK laser eye surgery, LASEK laser eye surgery (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis) uses alcohol to soften the epithelium (the outer layer of the cornea), rather than using a laser to create a flap in the cornea.
Once softened, the outer layer of the cornea is moved aside, much like the flap in LASIK, allowing the surgeon access to the main cornea tissue (the stromal tissue).
The cornea is then re-shaped, as it is in LASIK, using a cold Excimer laser to remove stromal tissue according to the detailed map and treatment plan created at consultation.
It is imperfections on the stromal layer of the cornea, or irregularities in its shape, which causes many of the visual impairments that necessitate the use of glasses and contact lenses to achieve visual clarity.
By removing stromal tissue in a very specific pattern, unique to your eye, LASEK laser eye surgery allows light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina for clear vision.
Once the laser eye surgery is complete, the softened epithelium is then moved back into place and allowed to heal.
To speed up the healing process, and avoid any complications or infections, a temporary bandage contact lens is placed over the eye.
Typically, most people who have LASEK laser eye surgery are those who have been found unsuitable for the more effective LASIK procedure.
LASIK laser eye surgery is often more effective because of the way it creates a flap to gain access to the cornea, rather than an alcohol solution. This results in quicker healing times, less chance of infection and quicker results than LASEK laser eye surgery.
Having said that, LASEK still produces good results over a wide range of prescriptions for those suffering with long-sightedness, short-sightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism.
LASEK and LASIK laser eye surgery are both evolutions of the traditional PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) procedure, which was the first type of laser eye surgery performed.
To find out more about the LASEK laser eye surgery procedures we offer at the Vision Surgery and Research Centre, or to book a consultation, call 01482 339515.